“Thanksgiving Eve” doesn’t have a place on the calendar, but it does exist. Our tendency is to focus upon Thanksgiving without a formal acknowledgement of the day/evening prior. We should have something to acknowledge the sense of release and the aura of anticipated celebration that engulfs us from noon on Wednesday through the ensuing Sunday.

Leaving a rather-deserted campus late afternoon of “Thanksgiving Eve,” I took note of Howard Valentine’s light green Lincoln Continental parked in “his” parking space. Though we have almost no reserved parking on campus, Howard’s space tucked behind the campus store in the shadow of Donaghay Hall was never encroached. Here it was, late in the afternoon of an impending holiday and just about everyone was gone, except Howard, who was doing what he did best – teaching.

Rarely does a Sunday morning phone call deliver good news. It was a Sunday morning when we learned of Howard Valentine’s passing. First is disbelief, then profane frustration, followed by resignation of a reality that will appear and disappear with unpredictable frequency over the next week. In those reality-laced moments, I reflected upon my last conversation with Howard. A few weeks ago, at the conclusion of College Assembly, Howard stopped me, “I want to get some time to talk with you about a few things.” Anyone who had a relationship with Howard knew that his conversations were never short, so I asked him to contact Maria and set up a time for us to meet and discuss his concerns. I now regret we didn’t find that hour together before his passing. That opportunity for a “Howard enlightenment” has passed. You never walked away from a Howard Valentine conversation without your brain (and your soul) being fully activated.

During a gathering of students, faculty, and staff on the day after Howard died, I conveyed Howard’s four passions: students, faith, music, and a Harley Davidson motorcycle. The order sometimes shifted. His Harley had a place in his heart as well as his garage.

Sincere, kind, genuine, compassionate, caring, funny, thoughtful, supportive. These are just some of the descriptors of Howard Valentine. The man held a special place on the SCC campus. He exemplified the Caring Campus mystique that makes SCC the special place it is. We are only beginning to realize how much we will miss our colleague. Over the days and weeks ahead, we will come to grips with the void that now exists. Personally, I will miss the deep, equity conversations, and the Harley talk. Professor Valentine – you made a difference.